Acre, ISRAEL- A unique encounter, one of the first of its kind, took place at the beginning of this year to promote dialogue between Jews and Arabs in the city of Acre.

The interfaith encounter took place January 28^th in the chamber of Acre’s Mayor, Shimon Lankri, and included a number of political and religious leaders in the community.

This was the first encounter in a series of encounters initiated by members of the IEA that calls upon people of all faiths, and from all parts of the political spectrum, to hold encounters and always strive for developing models of understanding, tolerance and mutual respect.

It was agreed by all that the city of Acre had always been a model of joint life and had gained international recognition for being so.

Those who participated in the encounter included Rabii Yosef Yashar, Chief Rabbi of Acre and Region; Member of Knesset Sheikh Abas Zakur; Vice-Mayor Zeev Noiman and Vice-Mayor Osama Gizawi.

The encounter can be viewed online at: http://www.akkonet.co.il/newsPictures/mifgash-bendati-tv-28-1-07.html.

The creation of this encounter marked the IEA’s 18^th ongoing interfaith group. They plan to continue the encounters in the future to include representatives of all religions, including Christians, Druze and Baha’i. The public is welcome to join.